Heroism through HOSA

Starmount High School Health Occupation Students of America members sign in blood drive donor Britt Ashley.

Sarah Wagoner | SHS

Everyone wants the chance to play the hero in someone else’s life. Whether the thought has only crossed their minds once or whether that thought is the focus of their world, it’s an aspiration most people share. However, what some people haven’t thought of is the way to accomplish this universal desire.

Some people believe the chance will arrive in pomp and flare, some people strive to be a hero small and helpful ways, but here at Starmount High School, the students understand just what it takes to be a hero. This year, hosting their biannual blood drive, many became heroes.

All around the world, accidents and bodily harm is unfortunately part of human nature. This accident prone part of human nature ensures that there’s a never-ending demand for blood to help heal the daily stream of injured people, and Starmount’s stunning integrity ensures that they’ll always be willing to help. Because of this, the school doesn’t just offer one blood drive, but hosts two a year, even opening them to the community to help bring in donors, and SHS efforts pay off. This year more than 100 people gave at the biannual blood drive. Together they were able to raise 125 pints of blood to be donated to hospital blood banks and help save the lives of patients everywhere.

Starmount junior Denver Davis became a donor for the third time this year and admitted that he “plan[s] to donate more” in the future. So enthusiastic about giving, he exclaimed, “I will continue donating as long as I am healthy enough to” and even encouraged others to do so.

“You are doing nothing but good,” he explained. As a HOSA member, Davis is responsible for working the blood drive with his fellow club members. However, being a donor is completely optional. He chose to donate for no other reason than to be a “part in saving the life of another.”

Davis even doused the fear of pain that kept many students from climbing into the chair. He admitted that “the only pain with donating is the finger prick for capillary blood.” However, the pain isn’t great, and it’s over soon. The free food and drinks certainly makes up for it in his opinion.

While donors wait in line to give blood, the Starmount HOSA members serve snacks like goldfish, pop tarts, and granola bars, as well as bottles of water. The more a donor eats before giving, the less likely to pass out. Davis also suggested eating “red meat” before donating blood to help build up one’s iron. After blood donations, a donor will receive the same foods and even more HOSA members are there to help and support those recovering their strength.

Despite the momentary pain and risk of passing out, all the donors can agree on one thing: It’s completely worth it. By giving up 30 minutes of their day, they’ve completed a universal aspiration. At only 17-years old, Davis became a hero with all his fellow donors. In just a few months, they’ll be eager to do it again.

Christy Rucker is a member of the Starmount High School Journalism Club and a student of the YCS Virtual Academy of Journalism.